Masonry Magazine January 1969 Page. 21
mechanized equipment makes
masonry materials movement
more efficient...less costly
by Robert T. Siderits
Sales Manager
Material Handling/Mixer Equipment
PCM Division, Koehring Company
The biggest problem any contractor faces is to track down operations that are draining profits and then to make them more efficient. In masonry construction, a good place to start is with the handling of basic materials. While material handling is a necessary operation, it is nevertheless non-productive, and complicated by the need to move a variety of materials to point of use under ever-changing job conditions.
Fortunately, new methods and new equipment have been developed in recent years with emphasis on reduced rehandling for greater efficiency. PCM Division of Koehring Company provides a variety of mechanized equipment designed for efficient handling of materials in masonry construction. Even though job conditions may vary, proper application of this equipment will enable you to turn the expense of materials movement into a profitable operation.
preplan each job
To eliminate unnecessary and wasteful material handling operations, plan each job ahead. Some basic principles to follow are:
1. Determine where you will need materials and how you will get them there. Then select storage areas that will permit smooth, uninterrupted materials flow.
2. Palletize or package brick, block and tile so that you move only the exact quantity that can be used at a specific location.
3. Choose equipment that offers "total move" capability, speed and safety. Apply equipment as recommended by the manufacturer.
Palletization of loose masonry materials has obvious time-and-cost-saving advantages. It is most important, however, that the correct size pallet be selected. In masonry construction, for example, a standard 24" x 32" masonry pallet (two 16" x 24" pallets banded together) holds the exact quantity of material needed to build a wall 10' long and 4' high. This is all the area a mason can tend from one working station. Use of oversize pallets will cause efficiency to decline because of general bulk and difficulty in handling, plus the need to rehandle excess materials.
Selecting the right equipment to accomplish the total job is equally important. Frequently, a fork lift offering forward reach can single-handedly place materials where needed. Where travel within or on elevated areas is required, brick buggies should be used. Some buggies are designed for lateral movement, while others combine this ability with lifting height up to 10 feet. Mortar tubs provide an ideal container for mortar or cement as they combine the advantages of volume, stability and mobility.
Specific suggestions on the use of material handling equipment are illustrated on the following pages. Job conditions and type of project will govern the correct application of each machine for your needs.